STRATFORD, Conn., Nov. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Mexico's Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) approved the Offshore and Utility Type Certificate for the Sikorsky S-92® helicopter. The certificate enables the operation of S-92 helicopters in Mexico, in all production configurations including offshore oil and gas transportation, search and rescue, as well as regional airline passenger service and VIP transportation.

DGAC signed the certificate Nov. 6, capping an intensive three-year effort to introduce the S-92 helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company (NYSE: LMT), to Mexico.

"Sikorsky has been excited to watch the evolution of the offshore oil and gas industry in Mexico," said Sikorsky Vice President, Oil & Gas, David Martin. "As the industry expands into new territory, safe and reliable offshore transportation will ensure they remain on schedule and on budget. With this new certification of the S-92 aircraft, operators and oil and gas companies can select a true heavy helicopter that has the proven reliability and safety to support their success."

"This moves us another step forward in our overall Latin America strategy," said Sikorsky Vice President, Latin America, Adam Schierholz. "The region has long had faith in Sikorsky products, specifically the Black Hawk. It's a natural progression, as oil markets expand in Mexico and Colombia, that the S-92 would start to play a prominent role in that sector."

The S-92 was certified in Colombia in November 2016.

Sikorsky has delivered nearly 300 S-92 helicopters since 2004. With a best-in-class safety record and industry-leading dispatch availability, the multi-mission S-92 aircraft is the preferred aircraft of its size class for offshore oil worker transportation. These helicopters also perform search and rescue missions, head of state missions, and a variety of transportation missions for utility and airline passengers.

About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 97,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

DUBAI, Nov. 15, 2017 – Fury, the expeditionary, runway-independent unmanned air vehicle (UAV) now has engine updates that will further increase its flight endurance, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today.

With the integration of the 1803 engine into the platform, engineering tests performed by the company indicate that Fury will be able to stay in the air for 15 continuous hours, making it one of the highest endurance unmanned systems in its class.

“We’ve engineered Fury to bring the flight endurance and other advantages of much larger unmanned aircraft into a compact, effective, category three system,” said Kevin Westfall, director of Unmanned Systems at Lockheed Martin. “Lockheed Martin has invested heavily to mature the incredible capabilities Fury can deliver, and we’re excited to bring this system to customers around the world.”

Fury is a long-endurance, expeditionary aircraft that leverages its advanced fuel propulsion system, power generation and low signature design to deliver capabilities to Class 3 UAV that were previously only available in larger and more complex systems. It has no landing gear, making it the most advanced truly runway-independent UAV in its class on the market today. The complete Fury launch and recovery element can be set up on unimproved ground, in an areas a small as 200 feet square.

Leveraging open architecture design, Fury is both adaptable and reconfigurable to serve a multitude of military missions – including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and cyber-electronic warfare.

About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 97,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
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Valued at $27 billion, deal is largest single-aisle jet purchase by a Middle East airline Airline commits to the newly launched 737 MAX 10, MAX 9s and more MAX 8s

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and flydubai signed a landmark agreement today for 225 737 MAX airplanes with a list price value of $27 billion. The deal represents the largest-ever single-aisle jet order – by number of airplanes and total value – from a Middle East carrier.

Signed at the 2017 Dubai Airshow in flydubai's hometown, the agreement includes a commitment for 175 MAX airplanes, and purchase rights for 50 additional MAXs. When finalized, the purchase promises to sustain tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Boeing's U.S. factories and network of suppliers.

More than 50 of the first 175 airplanes will be 737 MAX 10s, the newest and largest member of the 737 MAX family. The MAX 10 will have the lowest seat-mile cost of any single-aisle airplane ever produced. flydubai said the balance of the initial airplane order will be made up of the popular MAX 8 and MAX 9, giving the carrier a family of airplanes with high commonality and low operating costs.

This new deal surpasses the flydubai's previous record order of 75 MAXs and 11 Next-Generation 737-800s which was signed at the 2013 Dubai Airshow.

"We welcome the continuation of our long partnership with Boeing. Their airplanes have provided a foundation for the success of our business model, providing us with the operational flexibility and range to build a network of 95 destinations in 44 countries," said flydubai Chairman His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. "Understanding the demand for travel across our network, our innovative approach to our cabin design and developing a product unique to our market has allowed us to exceed our passengers' expectations in their flying experience."

"We are extremely honored that flydubai has selected to be an all-Boeing operator for many years to come. This record-breaking agreement builds on our strong partnership with flydubai and the other leading carriers of this region," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President & CEO Kevin McAllister. "With flydubai's proven business model and ambitious growth plans, we look forward to hundreds of flydubai 737 MAXs connecting Dubai with the rest of the world."

The 737 MAX is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, having surpassed 4,000 total orders from 92 customers. The MAX family incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

flydubai placed its first order for 50 Next-Generation 737-800s in 2008 and was the world's first airline to introduce the Boeing Sky Interior into service. To date, flydubai has taken delivery of 63 737-800s and three 737 MAX 8 airplanes.

Many write that the choice was about a medium-range aircraft versus a long-range model. This is part of the answer but it’s not the whole answer. The full answer is more involved. It’s equally about a more tightly packaged aircraft versus a more spacious one. Continue reading https://leehamnews.com/2017/11/15/emirates-choose-boeings-787-10/

NEW YORK & FRANKFURT, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arconic (NYSE: ARNC) today announced a multi-year cooperative research agreement with Airbus to advance metal 3D printing for aircraft manufacturing. Together, the companies will develop customized processes and parameters to produce and qualify large, structural 3D printed components, such as pylon spars and rib structures, up to approximately 1 meter (3 feet) in length. The deal combines Arconic’s expertise in metal additive manufacturing and metallurgy with Airbus’s design and qualification capabilities, building on its experience with regulatory agencies for certification.

“This agreement combines the expertise of two of the world’s top aerospace additive manufacturing companies to push the boundaries of 3D printing for aircraft production,” said Eric Roegner, Executive Vice President and Group President, Arconic Engineered Products and Solutions and Arconic Defense. “Additive manufacturing promises a world where lighter, more complex aerospace parts are produced cheaper and faster. We’re joining forces to make that potential a reality in a bigger way than ever before.”

Under this agreement announced at the Formnext additive and advanced manufacturing conference in Frankfurt, Germany, Arconic will use electron beam high deposition rate technology to 3D print parts. This technology is ideally suited to produce larger aerospace components because it prints them up to one hundred times faster than technologies used for smaller, more intricate parts.

In addition, Arconic will demonstrate the benefits of its proprietary Ampliforge™ process, which combines traditional and additive manufacturing. The Ampliforge™ process treats a near complete 3D printed part using an advanced manufacturing process, such as forging, which enhances the properties of 3D printed parts – increasing toughness, fatigue and strength versus parts made solely by additive manufacturing – and reduces material input and production lead times.

Arconic will draw on additive and advanced manufacturing capabilities at its facilities in Cleveland, Ohio and at the Arconic Technology Center outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Last September, Airbus announced a 3D printing breakthrough involving a smaller component equipping the airframe – a 3D printed titanium bracket installed on a series production Airbus commercial aircraft, the A350 XWB. This achievement is paving the way for Airbus to design 3D printed parts in the future that are even more complex and lighter weight. Arconic is producing these titanium brackets using laser powder bed technologies at its additive manufacturing facility in Austin, Texas.

Arconic announced three agreements with Airbus last year. Under those deals, Arconic agreed to 3D print titanium and nickel airframe components, such as fuselage and engine pylon components, made using laser and electron beam powder bed processes. Those agreements established Arconic as an innovation partner to Airbus in the fast-growing metal 3D printing space.

About Arconic

Arconic (NYSE: ARNC) creates breakthrough products that shape industries. Working in close partnership with our customers, we solve complex engineering challenges to transform the way we fly, drive, build and power. Through the ingenuity of our people and cutting-edge advanced manufacturing techniques, we deliver these products at a quality and efficiency that ensure customer success and shareholder value.
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The V-22 Osprey has been continuously deployed since entering service in 2007 with the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) in 2009. The aircraft has seen extensive action in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and as part of a U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) supporting a long-range rapid reaction/crisis response force.

“As the number of flight hours indicate, the V-22 Osprey is a mature platform that projects a versatile mission capability for military operations as well as humanitarian relief efforts,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Matthew Kelly, V-22 Joint Program manager.

MV-22B Osprey are operating around the globe today, transforming the way the USMC conducts assault support, humanitarian relief operations and the broad spectrum of SPMAGTF missions.

The Bell Boeing V-22 is continuing to achieve outstanding mission success, performing missions only capable with tiltrotor technology. Since entering service, the V-22 has been deployed in numerous missions around the world, including casualty evacuation, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, resupply, VIP transport, and theater security cooperation.

“The versatile V-22 Osprey is in demand and indispensable among commanders worldwide,” said Kristin Houston, vice president, Boeing Tiltrotor Programs and deputy director, Bell Boeing V-22 Program. “In order to improve readiness for our servicemen and women, we are significantly investing for the long term through modifications and upgrades to our V-22 factory in Philadelphia. Together with Bell Helicopter, we are proud of achieving this flight hour milestone. Our strategic alliance enables the continued success of this program.”

“This 400,000-flight hour milestone is an incredible testament to the V-22’s leap-ahead capability and is a tribute to the men and women of Bell Helicopter and Boeing who build and support tiltrotor aircraft,” said Vince Tobin, executive vice president of Military Programs at Bell Helicopter. “The Osprey brings unprecedented range, speed and survivability to the warfighter and will continue to excel in combat and in executing some of the most difficult humanitarian operations.”

The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, multirole combat aircraft that uses tiltrotor technology to combine the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. With its nacelles and rotors in vertical position, it can take off, land and hover like a helicopter. Once airborne, its nacelles can be rotated to transition the aircraft to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight.
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Airbus and JAL cooperate and explore benefits of mixed reality technologies for mechanics and crew training for aircraft operations

Airbus, in cooperation with Japan Airlines (JAL) and JAL Engineering (JALEC), has developed a prototype application supporting new training solutions, taking advantage of the world’s most advanced Mixed Reality technology, Microsoft “HoloLens” and immersive headsets. This will enable the airline community to benefit from cost-effective and highly enhanced training and operational solutions, pushing the boundaries of what is currently available.

HoloLens and immersive headsets provide access to aircraft digital data which can be viewed from any angle to run specific aircraft procedures, virtually.

This innovative technology brings key business value as users can learn from anywhere, without the need of the physical aircraft, via a holographic coach or an interactive, shared 3D virtual system.

“Aircraft manufacturer Airbus and airline operator JAL have cooperated together and combined high expertise from the both sides on this innovation, making a step forward into a new training era. The success of this cooperation will set new standards in terms of training for the industry,” said Yuji Akasaka, Managing Executive Officer, Engineering & Maintenance, President of JAL Engineering.

Stéphane Ginoux, President of Airbus Japan, “We believe this technology, developed in cooperation with JAL and JAL Engineering, will bring significant value across our business. It will change fundamentally the way people interact with our data and work process.”

Airbus recently became one of the rare industrial players to be a member of the Microsoft Mixed Reality Partner Program. As such, Airbus expertise in Mixed Reality is not only recognised but certified by Microsoft, meaning the company can build and exploit Mixed Reality on behalf of Microsoft.

In 2013 JAL signed a purchase agreement for 31 A350 XWBs (18 A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s), plus options for a further 25 aircraft. The delivery of the first A350 XWB to the airline is scheduled in 2019. Airbus plans to offer “HoloLens” for some selected training scenarios to airlines in the world including JAL on the introduction of the A350 XWB.
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Dubai, 15 November 2017 – The United Arab Emirates Air Force & Air Defence has ordered five Airbus C295 medium transport aircraft.

The agreement, announced at the Dubai Airshow, takes the C295 orderbook past 200, underlining the type’s market leadership in its class.

The aircraft will serve with the UAE Air Force replacing the existing CN235s still in operation. Deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Orders for the C295 in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region now total 51. Bernhard Brenner, Airbus Defence and Space Head of Marketing & Sales said: “The C295 is a tough and reliable aircraft that is thoroughly proven in the Middle East operating environment. Passing the milestone of 200 sales – now 203 following this order – is a clear demonstration of its widely recognized capabilities and excellent value. We look forward to placing many more C295s in this region and beyond.”
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